STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2363

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 2537

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 2537 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ACCESS TO PUBLIC PROPERTY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Prohibit the obstruction of access to beaches; and

 

     (2)  Create a one hundred dollar penalty for the first conviction of obstructing access to public property.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Coastal Planners, LLC.

 

     Your Committee finds that although public access is protected by state law, development pressure is making it difficult for residents to access beach and shoreline areas.  Your Committee further finds that action is necessary to protect public access for the enjoyment of the State's residents and visitors.  This measure will provide penalties for the obstruction of access to beaches so that the public may enjoy them.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Inserting an effective date of December 31, 2033, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2537, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2537, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land,

 

 

 

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KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair